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A change of heart on marriage equality

"When gay activists [in Maine] announced their intention to pursue full marriage
equality for gay and lesbian couples, they didn't know whether Gov. John Baldacci would support them.

"They knew they had a Democratic Legislature that was likely to pass the bill.

"They had momentum in other New England states.

"But they didn't know if Baldacci -- a Democrat and Roman Catholic
who had already expressed support for the lesser standing of civil
unions -- would go along.

"Would he veto it? Would he quietly let it be known he wasn't
supportive? Would he withhold support unless it was sent to voters for
approval?

"His early comments, made in January 2009 after a news conference to announce the bill, were noncommittal.

"'This debate is extremely personal for many people and it's an issue
that I struggle with trying to find the best path forward,' he said. 'I'm not prepared to say I support marriage equality today, but I will
consider what I hear as the Legislature works to find the best way to
address discrimination.'

"Four years earlier, Baldacci had been a strong proponent of a law to
protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in employment, housing,
education and public accommodations. But he drew a distinction between
his support for the Maine Human Rights Act and the freedom to marry.

... "Fast-forward to 2009 and gay activists were back with a proposal for full marriage rights.

"But they had no promises from Baldacci, said Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine.

"'We did not have a lot of conversations with him about marriage,'
she said. 'He was very insistent on having the bill work its way
through the regular legislative process.'

"They did, however, work to explain to Baldacci the difference
between civil unions and marriage, she said. They packed the Augusta
Civic Center with supporters who testified about the bill, sent
postcards and made phone calls.

... "Baldacci signed the bill into law May 6 -- about an hour after the Senate took final action.

"He invited reporters into his office to announce his decision only
after he had signed it -- explaining that, while he once opposed marriage for same-sex couples, he had 'come to believe that this is a question of fairness.'

"At the time of the signing, Maine was only the fifth state in the
country to honor the freedom to marry, but the first to pass a bill through the
Legislature and have it signed by the governor without a court
directive, Smith said.

"Immediately after Baldacci signed the bill, Emrich and others in his
coalition, which included strong support and leadership from the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Portland, gathered the signatures necessary to put
the law on the ballot.

"After an emotional and expensive campaign in which both sides spent
a combined $9.6 million, voters repealed the law, with 53 percent of
the vote.

"In Smith's mind, the marriage equality issue should be considered among Baldacci's most significant accomplishments.

"At the Democratic State Convention in Lewiston earlier this year,
Democrats invited three people to speak at the podium to honor
Baldacci: a paper mill union representative; a wind energy proponent;
and Smith, who spoke on behalf of gay and lesbian Mainers.

"'I believe he does believe that this was one of his legacies -- and
good for him,' Smith said. 'Someday, marriage will be the law and John Baldacci will be the first governor in Maine to have signed the law.'

"During a recent interview in his office, Baldacci described the
evolution of his position from opposition to support, saying he was
swayed by research that showed there were '400 citations in the state
statutes dealing with state jurisdiction over marriage.'

"'At our very foundation as a country, each individual has a bill of
rights,' he said. 'Each individual has rights. The majority may rule,
but a minority has rights. We're all people, we're all Americans and
we're all guided by the Bill of Rights.'

"Baldacci said he's confident the issue will come forward again and
that more Mainers will change their positions, just as he did.

"'It was a turnaround, but it's one in which I feel -- after
listening to the people of Maine, and recognizing that they weren't
ready for us having this as a statewide policy -- it turned a lot of
hearts and minds and it represents where we are going to be headed,' he
said.